How can you calculate greenhouse gas emissions from a construction project with limited data?

Question

I need to calculate GHG emissions for a construction project with limited data available. I will definitely need to make assumptions but I don't know what emissions factors to use.
The only information I have is on cubic meters of concrete for certain areas of the project.

Are there any default values I can use for calculating GHGs with only cubic meters of concrete data?
-I will need to make assumption on fuel consumption used by construction equipment
-I will need to make assumptions on electricity consumption used by site offices during construction
-I will need to make assumptions about transport details involved during construction.

Are there any standards or guidelines that I can use for estimating emissions with limited data?
Do I need to include scope 3 emissions?

Your assistance would be greatly appreciated.

Anonymous · Accepted Answer

If you know how much of the money goes to hydrocarbon fuels, it is a simple calculation.

Jeff Engr · Answer

First, avoid Scope 3 emissions at all costs.  

Scope 1:  Fuels you burn.  Petroleum, gas, oil, etc
Scope 2:  Fuels burned by others but you get an energy benefit.  electricity bought off the grid, purchased steam, purchased chilled water etc.

Scope 3 is all others.  GHG value for your paper.  GHG value for paper clips, for nails, for wall board, for your concrete forms and any and all supplies.  GHG value for the fuel used to get your employees to the job site.  GHG value for delivering materials to your job site, etc.  This is an accounting nightmare waiting to happen.

Saying all of this stick with Scope 1 and 2.  
How much oil gas etc have you purchased for your job site.  Calculate the GHG value for this.  Easy and straight forward.

What are your utility bills?  Look at the commodity portion i.e. kwh of electricity, Volume or btu value of you fuel and fuel type etc.

For a construction project, so long as you avoid Scope 3, your values should not be too terribly high.  If you are pushed to do Scope 3, force those asking you to define how far you go and what specifically they want to see.  Be prepared to point out exactly how far you could go and the costs the company would incur if they even attempted to properly account for all of it.

BB · Answer

What brain-washed client/customer is requiring that information?

Moe · Answer

What the hell

Sagebrush · Answer

Why would you want to? Are you fixing to tax that too? I won't help you there.

How can you calculate greenhouse gas emissions from a construction project with limited data?

5 Answers